Apapa Customs Generates a Record N35bn in August

The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced a record monthly revenue of N34,923,757,810.77 in August.

The revenue was about N8 billion higher than N27 billion generated in July, and it is the highest monthly reported revenue by any customs command in the country in the last 10 years.

According to Willy Egbudin, a customs area controller of the command,“A remarkable feature of this is that it was made at a time the ports were said to be having low volume of trade and shipping companies reported to be leaving the country in the face of some trade restrictions and high exchange rate regime.”

However, he said the increase was a result of increased supervision, closer monitoring and regular outreach to importers and agents, “on the need to comply while issuing demand notices for infractions like under-declaration detected.”

He further stated that “We have persistently urged officers of the command to continually work to redouble their efforts in maximum revenue collection, speed in legitimate trade facilitation and uncompromising enforcement of all customs laws.”

”The Comptroller General’s directives are very clear on matters affecting our duties. We must not in any way act outside the law or encourage people to do so. Importers and agents who violate the law will face the full wrath of it and I can assure you all that I will not spare any customs officer collaborator. Any attempt to shortchange the government under my watch here will not be treated with kid gloves” the Controller warned recently.”